The '''Valais''' is exactly that: a long, narrow, L-shaped valley which was cut by glaciers between two alpine mountain ranges. The main cities in the region are along the river Rhone which cuts through the bottom of the valley, between its source at the Rhone glacier in the east and its temporary destination of [[Lake Geneva]] in the west. The main tourist resorts and many small villages are in the side valleys to the north or the south.

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The '''Valais''' [http://www.valais.ch/en/index.cfm] is exactly that: a long, narrow, L-shaped valley which was cut by glaciers between two alpine mountain ranges. The main cities in the region are along the river Rhone which cuts through the bottom of the valley, between its source at the Rhone glacier in the east and its temporary destination of [[Lake Geneva]] in the west. The main tourist resorts and many small villages are in the side valleys to the north or the south.

''Valais'' offers an amazing diversity of landscapes. Within a few kilometers there are the highest glaciers and mountains of the Alps and almost subtropical places where even almond and pomegranate trees grow.

''Valais'' offers an amazing diversity of landscapes. Within a few kilometers there are the highest glaciers and mountains of the Alps and almost subtropical places where even almond and pomegranate trees grow.

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==Regions==

==Regions==

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*Upper Valais -- German speaking, eastern part of Valais

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*Upper Valais -- Swiss-German speaking, eastern part of Valais

*Lower Valais -- French speaking, western part of Valais

*Lower Valais -- French speaking, western part of Valais

==Cities==

==Cities==

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*[[Martigny]] - old roman town at the bend in the valley, museums and great views

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*[[Verbier]] - first class ski destination with lots of English and Australian visitors throughout the ski season

*[[Fiesch]] - a beautiful village in the upper Valais, at the foot of the Eggishorn.

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*[[Finhaut]]

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*[[La Fouly]]

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*[[Leukerbad]]

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*[[Martigny]] - old Roman town at the bend in the valley with museums and great views

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*[[Monthey]] - a town located near skiable pistes (Champery, Morgins), but not so far from the Geneva lake( 45 minutes from Lausanne, 1 hour and an half from Geneva).

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*[[Riederalp-Bettmeralp]]

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*[[Saas-Fee]] - possibly the best place in the world to snowboard

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*[[Saint-Maurice]] - a small town down in the valley.

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*[[Sion]] - the political center of the Valais

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*[[Verbier]] - first class ski destination with lots of English and Australian visitors throughout the ski season

*[[Visp]] - the second major Swiss-German speaking town, important centre of industry

*[[Visp]] - the second major Swiss-German speaking town, important centre of industry

*[[Zermatt]] - the Matterhorn, skiing, glaciers, views

*[[Zermatt]] - the Matterhorn, skiing, glaciers, views

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*[[Saas-Fee]] - possibly the best place in the world to snowboard

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*[[Finhaut]]

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*[[Monthey]] -a town located near skiable pistes(Champery, Morgins) but not so far from the Geneva lake( 45 minutes from Lausanne, 1 hour and an half from Geneva).

==Other destinations==

==Other destinations==

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==Talk==

==Talk==

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The language divide between French and German speaking Switzerland runs through the Valais, with French spoken in the west of the canton, and local German dialects at the eastern end.

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The language divide between French and German speaking Switzerland runs through the Valais, with French and (partially) Franco-Provencal spoken in the west of the canton, and Highest Alemannic dialects at the eastern end. Standard German and English are widely spoken and understood (especially in towns and touristic areas).

==Get in==

==Get in==

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The nearest international airport is [[Geneva]], from there you can take the train to Valais. If you want to visit the upper part of the Valais, the nearest airport is [[Zurich]] with a travel time of approximatively 2 hours to Visp or Brig. Trains part directly to the Valais from both airports (direction Brig in both cases).

==Get around==

==Get around==

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Swiss railways (SBB) in the main valley. Buses span out from the many train stations in the valley and go to almost every inch of the region. The main interchange station for the region is Brig, where trains from the north ([[Basel]],[[Bern]],[[Zurich]]) meet trains from the west([[Geneva]], [[Lausanne]], [[Sion]]) and Italy ([[Milan]]).

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Swiss railways (SBB-CFF) in the main valley. Buses span out from the many train stations in the valley and go to almost every inch of the region. The main interchange station for the region is Brig, where trains from the north ([[Basel]], [[Berne]], [[Zurich]]) meet trains from the west([[Geneva]], [[Lausanne]], [[Sion]]) and Italy ([[Milan]]).

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For timetables and tickets for trains see [http://www.sbb.ch/en/] Post Buses timetables [http://www.postbus.ch/]

* Near Martigny (Vernayaz): the '''Pissevache''' cascade and the '''Gorges du Trient''' [http://www.trientnature.ch/]

* If you happen to be in Valais during Carnival, don't miss the carnivals of Sion and Monthey

* If you happen to be in Valais during Carnival, don't miss the carnivals of Sion and Monthey

* Easily accessible in the summer, the Great St. Bernard Hospice is a monastery situated on top of the St Bernard Pass. It is possible to eat with the monks and even stay the night. The monastery is open in the winter, but only accessible by helicopter or skis.

* Easily accessible in the summer, the Great St. Bernard Hospice is a monastery situated on top of the St Bernard Pass. It is possible to eat with the monks and even stay the night. The monastery is open in the winter, but only accessible by helicopter or skis.

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=== Middle part of Valais ===

=== Middle part of Valais ===

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* At Sion, the basilic of Valère on top of a hill with the oldest organ in Europe. On the opposite hill, the ruins of the Castle of Tourbillon, very nice view on the city and the valley.

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* At Sion, the basilica of Valère on top of a hill with the oldest organ in Europe. On the opposite hill, the ruins of the Castle of Tourbillon, very nice view on the city and the valley.

* [[Domodossola]] for cheap everything compared to the Swiss prices. Direct train every 2 hours from [[Brig]] station. NOTE: [[Domodossola]] is in Italy so a passport will be required. Also don't go too mad with buying things as there are boarder patrol on the way back and they could search you and then make you pay tax

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* [[Domodossola]] for cheap everything compared to Swiss prices. Direct train every 2 hours from [[Brig]] station. NOTE: [[Domodossola]] is in [[Italy]] so a passport is required. Also don't go too mad shopping as there are border patrols on the way back and they can search you and make you pay tax.

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*[[Bern]] Nice day out

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*[[Berne]] Nice day out

*[[Lausanne]] As above

*[[Lausanne]] As above

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[[it:Canton Vallese]]

[[it:Canton Vallese]]

[[ja:ヴァレー州]]

[[ja:ヴァレー州]]

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[[nl:Wallis]]

[[WikiPedia:Valais]]

[[WikiPedia:Valais]]

[[Dmoz:Europe/Switzerland/Cantons/Valais/]]

[[Dmoz:Europe/Switzerland/Cantons/Valais/]]

Revision as of 13:46, 26 February 2013

The Valais[1] is exactly that: a long, narrow, L-shaped valley which was cut by glaciers between two alpine mountain ranges. The main cities in the region are along the river Rhone which cuts through the bottom of the valley, between its source at the Rhone glacier in the east and its temporary destination of Lake Geneva in the west. The main tourist resorts and many small villages are in the side valleys to the north or the south.

Valais offers an amazing diversity of landscapes. Within a few kilometers there are the highest glaciers and mountains of the Alps and almost subtropical places where even almond and pomegranate trees grow.

Some of the best spring skiing in the world is available in the Valais, at prices which although high beat the equivalent offerings in Colorado.

Understand

Talk

The language divide between French and German speaking Switzerland runs through the Valais, with French and (partially) Franco-Provencal spoken in the west of the canton, and Highest Alemannic dialects at the eastern end. Standard German and English are widely spoken and understood (especially in towns and touristic areas).

Get in

The nearest international airport is Geneva, from there you can take the train to Valais. If you want to visit the upper part of the Valais, the nearest airport is Zurich with a travel time of approximatively 2 hours to Visp or Brig. Trains part directly to the Valais from both airports (direction Brig in both cases).

Get around

Swiss railways (SBB-CFF) in the main valley. Buses span out from the many train stations in the valley and go to almost every inch of the region. The main interchange station for the region is Brig, where trains from the north (Basel, Berne, Zurich) meet trains from the west(Geneva, Lausanne, Sion) and Italy (Milan).

Do

Lower part of Valais

At Martigny, visit the Gianadda museum ([5]): sculptures and paintings, history of the city (especially when the region was part of the Roman empire)

Near Martigny (Vernayaz): the Pissevache cascade and the Gorges du Trient[6]

If you happen to be in Valais during Carnival, don't miss the carnivals of Sion and Monthey

Easily accessible in the summer, the Great St. Bernard Hospice is a monastery situated on top of the St Bernard Pass. It is possible to eat with the monks and even stay the night. The monastery is open in the winter, but only accessible by helicopter or skis.

Heli-skiing is available in the winter, and you don't have to be a advanced skier to experience back-country terrain via helicopter. Most heli-ski companies are based in Anzere.

Middle part of Valais

At Sion, the basilica of Valère on top of a hill with the oldest organ in Europe. On the opposite hill, the ruins of the Castle of Tourbillon, very nice view on the city and the valley.

Jet Fighter Flight in the Swiss Alps, ☎+41 44 500 5010, [7]. Departing from Sion Airport, flights in real jet fighters are available. Flights take place in the Swiss alps. Flights manoeuvres according to the passengers preferences.€3400.

Eat

Fondue - Melted Swiss cheese in a pot, dipped with pieces of bread on a fork. There are some variants :

Get out

Domodossola for cheap everything compared to Swiss prices. Direct train every 2 hours from Brig station. NOTE: Domodossola is in Italy so a passport is required. Also don't go too mad shopping as there are border patrols on the way back and they can search you and make you pay tax.